F-35 Lightning II

BAE Systems brings military aircraft expertise that is key to the development and manufacture of the F-35 Lightning II.

Cutting edge in every respect, the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is a stealthy, multi-role, all-weather attack aircraft that can operate from land and sea. Everything about the F-35 takes your breath away.

It’s the world's largest single defence programme. It’s also a truly collaborative project. BAE Systems is teamed with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to deliver the F-35 Lightning II.

We are a principal sub-contractor on this programme and bring military aircraft expertise that is critical to the F-35 Lightning II airframe, systems and sustainment.

There are three variants of the F-35, the Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL), the Carrier Variant (CV) and the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) and we are playing our part in all three.

F-35 Gallery

F-35B Lightning II

F-35 Lightning II - Peter Wilson after first flight

F-35B Lightning II Machining

F-35 Escape

F-35 AF-8 First Flight

Manufacturing facility at Samlesbury

F-35B Lightning II STOVL

BAE Systems’ F-35 Lead STOVL test pilot Peter ‘Wizzer’ Wilson in front of the F-35 full scale model at Farnborough Air Show.

Left to right: US Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta and UK Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond